Find Cheaper California Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Requiring an SR-22

Enter your California Auto Insurance zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

UPDATED: Mar 27, 2024

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Our staff writers always rib each other than when writing about car insurance, the word “cheap” should never be used anywhere in the article to describe car insurance prices. It’s a simple fact that cheap auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 is not always easy to find. Don’t let that get you down, though, because we are going to show you some ways you can get car insurance that most people can afford.

When shopping for the cheapest car insurance for high risk drivers, one of the many considerations that is looked at to determine the annual cost of car insurance is where you keep your vehicle in California. Cities with larger populations like Glendale, Oakland, and Sacramento tend to pay more, whereas areas with less traffic congestion and claims have the enjoyment of a little cheaper coverage.

The illustration below lists the higher priced cities in California for drivers requiring a SR22 in which to purchase auto insurance.

 

Car insurance prices in California
Rank City Annual Premium
1 Glendale $2,142
2 Los Angeles $2,083
3 Oakland $1,738
4 San Francisco $1,711
5 Sacramento $1,669
6 Long Beach $1,626
7 San Bernardino $1,596
8 Santa Clarita $1,595
9 Fontana $1,566
10 Garden Grove $1,554
11 Stockton $1,541
12 Moreno Valley $1,536
13 Modesto $1,532
14 Santa Ana $1,497
15 Riverside $1,497
16 Fresno $1,457
17 Anaheim $1,430
18 Huntington Beach $1,416
19 Fremont $1,403
20 San Jose $1,395
21 Irvine $1,371
22 Bakersfield $1,353
23 San Diego $1,327
24 Oxnard $1,318
25 Chula Vista $1,298
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Premium costs are comparative as vehicle location can lower or raise coverage prices greatly.

Cost and performance of the vehicle you are buying coverage for is one of the largest factors that determines if you can find cheap auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 in California. Vehicles with lower performance, good safety features, or a track record of few liability claims will cost much less to insure than adrenaline junky models. The next lists estimates coverage costs for a selection of the most economical automobiles to buy coverage for.

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Auto Insurance Rates for Popular Cars in California
Make, Model, and Trim Level Annual Cost Semi-Annual Cost Monthly Cost
Ford Focus SEL 4-Dr Sedan $4,298 $2,149 $358
Honda Accord EX-L 4-Dr Sedan $3,732 $1,866 $311
Honda Civic SI 2-Dr Coupe $5,452 $2,726 $454
Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon $3,508 $1,754 $292
Hyundai Sonata SE 4-Dr Sedan $4,702 $2,351 $392
Kia Optima EX $4,742 $2,371 $395
Toyota Camry LE $4,152 $2,076 $346
Toyota Corolla S $4,336 $2,168 $361
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Prices above based on married female driver age 50, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Rate quotes do not factor in specific location information which can modify prices substantially.

 

Car Insurance Rates for Popular SUVs and Crossovers in California
Make, Model, and Trim Level Annual Cost Semi-Annual Cost Monthly Cost
Acura RDX Technology Package AWD $3,956 $1,978 $330
Chevrolet Traverse LTZ AWD $3,772 $1,886 $314
Ford Escape XLT 4WD $3,546 $1,773 $296
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD $4,192 $2,096 $349
GMC Acadia SLE 2WD $3,966 $1,983 $331
Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD $3,546 $1,773 $296
Honda Fit Sport VSA $3,384 $1,692 $282
Honda Pilot EX-L 2WD $4,192 $2,096 $349
Hyundai Tucson Limited 4WD $4,152 $2,076 $346
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD $4,376 $2,188 $365
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4WD 4-Dr $4,484 $2,242 $374
Subaru Forester X Premium AWD $3,772 $1,886 $314
Toyota Highlander Sport 2WD $4,192 $2,096 $349
Toyota RAV4 2WD $4,152 $2,076 $346
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Data variables include married female driver age 50, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in zip code location which can change prices noticeably.

 

Auto Insurance Rates for Popular Pickup Trucks in California
Make, Model, and Trim Level Annual Cost Semi-Annual Cost Monthly Cost
Chevrolet Silverado LS Extended Cab 2WD $4,518 $2,259 $377
Dodge Ram Quad Cab Laramie 2WD $4,782 $2,391 $399
Ford F-150 XLT Crew Cab 4WD $4,192 $2,096 $349
Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab Turbo Diesel 2WD $5,154 $2,577 $430
GMC Canyon SLT Ext Cab 4WD $4,192 $2,096 $349
GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Extended Cab 2WD $4,928 $2,464 $411
GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE Regular Cab 2WD $4,416 $2,208 $368
GMC Sierra SLE Regular Cab 4WD $4,376 $2,188 $365
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off-Road Package 4WD $4,192 $2,096 $349
Toyota Tundra Limited Crew MAX 4WD $4,782 $2,391 $399
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Price data assumes married female driver age 50, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, and multi-policy. Price information does not factor in garaging location in California which can modify premium rates greatly.

Trying to buy cost effective insurance is difficult, and determining which companies offer the best auto insurance rates for drivers requiring a SR22 may require additional perseverance. Insurance premiums will most likely be quite a bit higher than the average rate in California, with the higher price attributed to the extra risk that comes with selling coverage for high risk drivers, but competitively-priced coverage may be achievable if you carefully shop around. Each insurer has their own guidelines for determining rates, so let’s take a look at the auto insurance companies with the most affordable rates in California.

It’s a good idea to know that California auto insurance rates are influenced by many factors that can increase the price you pay for coverage. Simply having another birthday, buying a different vehicle, or getting a DUI can trigger rate changes that may make certain companies way too expensive in comparison to the competition.

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 

Rankings for the cheapest California auto insurance companies
Rank Company Cost Per Year
1 USAA $1,143
2 Wawanesa $1,157
3 Century National $1,178
4 Nationwide $1,213
5 CSAA $1,222
6 21st Century $1,366
7 Grange $1,433
8 Allstate $1,513
9 Mercury $1,548
10 Progressive $1,558
11 GEICO $1,559
12 The Hartford $1,591
13 Allied $1,603
14 MetLife $1,606
15 Unitrin $1,699
16 Esurance $1,739
17 State Farm $1,750
18 Bristol West $1,795
19 Travelers $1,860
20 Farmers $1,966
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USAA has some of the lowest car insurance rates in California at around $1,143 each year. Wawanesa, Century National, Nationwide, and CSAA also are some of the best California car insurance companies.

As shown above, if you are a policyholder with CSAA and switched to Wawanesa, you could realize an annual savings of roughly $65. Customers with 21st Century might save as much as $209 a year, and Grange policyholders might cut rates by $276 a year.

Remember that these rates are averaged across all types of drivers and the different vehicles they drive and do not factor in a rate surcharge for drivers requiring a SR22. So the auto insurance company that fits your age and vehicle best may not even be included in the list of companies above. That affirms the importance of why you need to quote rates from as many companies as possible using your own specific driver information and vehicle.

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Choosing a high-quality insurer is hard considering how many choices drivers have in California. The ranking data in the next section may help you pick which auto insurers to look at buying from.

The ratings below are only comprised of large insurance companies, so smaller regional companies will not be included in this list. To compare price quotes from these top-rated insurers and more, follow this link.

 

California Auto Insurance Company Rankings
Company Value Customer Service Claims Customer Satisfaction A.M Best Rating Overall Score
USAA 98 100 100 94% A++ 98.6
American Family 98 89 100 86% A 95.4
AAA of Southern California 91 94 97 92% A+ 94.1
State Farm 88 93 96 90% A++ 92.4
The Hartford 94 92 90 89% A+ 91.7
AAA Insurance 88 89 95 91% A 91.2
GEICO 84 93 93 89% A++ 90.3
The General 89 91 89 88% A- 90
Titan Insurance 90 87 91 95% A+ 89.6
Progressive 84 91 93 87% A+ 89.5
Mercury Insurance 88 91 90 85% A+ 89.4
Allstate 85 90 92 88% A+ 89.3
Nationwide 87 88 84 90% A+ 88.7
Liberty Mutual 84 87 93 88% A 88.5
21st Century 85 86 87 88% A 86.7
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies

Violations and accidents raise rates

The easiest way to snag the most affordable auto insurance prices for high risk drivers is to be an attentive driver and avoid at-fault accidents and violations. The example below illustrates how speeding tickets and at-fault fender-benders can increase yearly insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The rate quotes are based on a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

In the previous chart, the average cost of a car insurance policy in California per year with no accidents and a clean driving record is $2,161. Get written up for one speeding ticket and the average cost rises to $2,450, an increase of $289 each year. Then include one accident along with the one speeding ticket and the 12-month cost of auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 goes up to an average of $3,257. That’s an increase of $1,096, or $91 per month, just for not keeping your driving record clean!

Who has the cheapest insurance quotes for high risk drivers?

Drivers have a lot of ways to compare auto insurance quotes in California, but the most frequently used methods are using an exclusive agency such as State Farm or Auto-Owners, a non-exclusive or independent agent, or direct online or over the phone from a company like Geico or Progressive. They all follow the same basic process, but it’s important to understand the differences in how they work.

Independent agents have contracts with multiple insurance companies and can get rate quotes from every one. Independent agents are able to compare multiple rates, which may give you the best shot at cutting your rates. If your premiums go up, they simply move your policy to a different company and you can keep the same agent.

Exclusive agents are ‘exlusive’ to one company, two examples being Allstate and Liberty Mutual agents. Exclusive agencies are unable to compare rates from other companies, so if their prices are high, they cannot shop around.

The third popular method of shopping for auto insurance is direct, which means you do not use an agent and instead shop buying direct from a company like Progressive or Geico. Buying direct is a good choice for families who do not have complex finances and know more than average about what coverage limits and deductibles they need.

So which way is best to find cheap auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 in California? We’d like to say buying from a direct company saves money because you bypass the agent, but in reality, that is not true. We could also say that going through an independent agent guarantees the cheapest rates due to having more companies to select from, but that is not necessarily true either. And often times, the exclusive agents have really good rates that independents and direct companies can’t touch.

Due to that fact that auto insurance uses so many rating variables, the best method to buy the cheapest policy is to obtain price quotes and compare them. Be sure to get price quotes from all three to have the best rate selection. For a list of companies with some of the cheapest California auto insurance rates, click here to view.

How to find budget-friendly insurance for drivers requiring a SR22

The list below details some penny-pinching solutions that can help California drivers buy cheaper car insurance.

  • Higher deductibles mean lower rates
  • Save money by observing traffic laws and speed limits
  • Drive attentively and avoid accidents
  • Drivers with good credit often pay less
  • Get cheaper liability coverage by choosing a safer vehicle
  • Compare rates often to find the best deal

That last idea is highly critical, as was affirmed in this write-up. Prices charged by companies can change significantly in a year, so you should be ready to buy from a different company if you can find a cheaper rate.

Having a favorite company is great, but it’s not a great idea if it’s costing you hundreds of dollars a year. Now is a great time to compare rates and find cheaper auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can drivers with a history of accidents or violations find cheaper car insurance rates in California?

It may be more challenging for drivers with a history of accidents or violations to find cheaper car insurance rates in California. Insurance providers typically consider drivers with a poor driving record to be higher risk, resulting in higher insurance premiums. However, there are still options available to potentially lower insurance rates, such as:

  • Shop around: Obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to compare rates. Each company has its own underwriting criteria, so rates can vary significantly.
  • Look for specialized providers: Some insurance companies specialize in providing coverage for high-risk drivers. These companies may be more willing to insure individuals with a poor driving record.
  • Consider a higher deductible: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your insurance premiums. However, be sure to choose a deductible amount that you can comfortably afford in the event of a claim.
  • Improve your driving habits: While it may take time, practicing safe driving habits and maintaining a clean driving record can lead to lower insurance rates over time.

Are there any specific discounts or programs available in California to help drivers find cheaper car insurance rates?

Yes, there are specific discounts and programs available in California that can help drivers find cheaper car insurance rates. Some common discounts and programs include:

  • Good driver discount: California law mandates that insurance companies offer a good driver discount to eligible drivers who have maintained a clean driving record for a certain period.
  • Low mileage discount: If you drive fewer miles than the average driver, you may be eligible for a low mileage discount.
  • Defensive driving course discount: Completing an approved defensive driving course can lead to a discount on your car insurance premiums.
  • Affinity group discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts to members of certain organizations, alumni associations, or professional groups.
  • Usage-based insurance (UBI): UBI programs, also known as telematics, use technology to monitor driving behavior. Drivers who demonstrate safe driving habits may be eligible for discounted rates.

Are there any state-specific factors in California that can affect car insurance rates?

Yes, there are state-specific factors in California that can affect car insurance rates. Some factors include:

  • State regulations: California has specific regulations and requirements for car insurance coverage, which can influence rates.
  • High population density: Areas with a higher population density often have more traffic congestion and a higher risk of accidents, which can impact insurance rates.
  • Frequency of natural disasters: California is prone to wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. The risk of damage to vehicles can affect insurance rates.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: California law requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which can contribute to the overall cost of insurance.

Are there any government or state programs in California that provide assistance for drivers who require cheaper car insurance rates?

Yes, there are government and state programs in California that provide assistance for drivers who require cheaper car insurance rates. One such program is the California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA). The CLCA is designed to help income-eligible drivers who meet certain criteria obtain affordable liability coverage. Eligible drivers can apply for the CLCA program through participating insurance companies.

What steps can drivers take to potentially lower their car insurance rates in California?

There are several steps that drivers can take to potentially lower their car insurance rates in California:

  • Maintain a clean driving record: Avoid accidents and traffic violations to maintain a good driving record, as insurance companies typically offer lower rates to drivers with fewer incidents.
  • Increase your deductible: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your insurance premiums. However, make sure you can comfortably afford the deductible amount in the event of a claim.
  • Bundle your policies: Consider bundling your car insurance with other insurance policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, with the same provider. Many insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts.
  • Shop around and compare quotes: Obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to compare rates. Each company has its own pricing structure, so rates can vary significantly.
  • Take advantage of discounts: Ask your insurance provider about available discounts. This may include discounts for safe driving, anti-theft devices, low mileage, or being a member of certain organizations or affinity groups.
  • Consider usage-based insurance: Usage-based insurance programs, also known as telematics, use technology to monitor driving behavior. Safe driving habits can result in lower insurance premiums.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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